Biology of American blueberries

Blueberry High (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) belongs to the family of heathers (Ericaceae). Its home is North America, hence its common name – American blueberry. In their natural state in America it occurs in about 20 species. However, with the growth of cities, the quantities offered by nature were insufficient. Therefore, in the 1930s it became a horticultural plant . Europeans noticed it only in the twentieth century. The first European plantation was established in the Netherlands in 1923. In Poland, it has been grown on a commercial scale since the 1870s..

REQUIREMENTS of blueberries:

The blueberry bush grows up to 3m(10ft)in height. Shoots are raised, grow out of buds at the base of the plant; one year old shoots are greenish. In the following years, they are cover with cracked bark. Blueberries bloom in the second half of May and the berries ripen from July to the end of September. The roots are well-branched, but they are very shallow - this creates the need to pay attention to soil moisture. Blueberries have specific climate and soil requirements. The climate in Poland which is moderately warm, is good for them. The best locations for their cultivation are flat areas, sheltered from the wind, full of sun. It is best when the area is located in the neighbourhood of pine forests.

The growth of the bushes requires soils which are light,humus, slightly acidic, easily heated and transmissive. It is favourable if the soil is sandy or sandy - clayish. The plants require an adequate amount of humus in the soil (at least 3%, preferably 7 - 10%) and the corresponding pH factor (3.5 - 4.5 pH in KCl, 4,0-5,0 in H2O). Too high pH in the soil can cause chloroza, limit plant growth, and lead to their death. They also have special requirements for water. The level of ground water should be at a depth of 60 - 80 cm ( 24-32”). It is important that this level is stable. Even periodic flooding of the bushes during the growing season may lead to their death. Long-term water shortages in spring may stop the growth of plants, a shortage in summer- make the fruit smaller.

* Growers of limited experience when they see the loss of smooth bark and the appearance of cracks and grooves believe that their plants were infected by t disease. There is a very simple way to check these concerns: it is enough to gently tear off a piece of the old bark – you will see green healthy tissue of the shoots. Infected tissue will have a brown teint.